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Sheriff and CRD work together for tribal families
JANUARY 15, 2000
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By Tom O'Brien
Deputy Sheriff
December 25, 1999
I felt transported to
another time and
place this morning in
the wee hours of the
day while patrolling
Hwy 18. On the ra
dio was Bing Crosby
singing "White Christmas." It reminded me of my
parents and of perhaps gentler times. I reflected
on how I was just informed that I will be a grand
father this summer. I was enjoying the moment
and feeling blessed.
All this is in contrast to my most recent seminar
in Flagstaff, Arizona I attended with some tribal
staff. I want to say thank you to the Tribal Coun
cil, EO Bob Martin, and to whomever else arranged
for me to attend this eye-opening seminar.
The seminar was sponsored by the U.S. Depart
ment of Justice and hosted by the Navajo and Hopi
Nations. The seminar dealt with violence against
Native American Women and the legal system's
response to the family violence. We were compar
ing notes and searching for ways to improve how
we respond to this concern. It was apparent that
times are different today, there and here.
Shortly after our return all the seminar partici
pants met with the Tribal Court. The lessons
learned by the group were discussed and com
pared. The Tribe's Civil Court is currently look
ing at ways to improve how it will address family
violence here. The court is looking at adopting
tribal ordinance that will compliment state statue.
Our open reservation in Grand Ronde differs from
the reservation in Arizona and most other places.
The Tribe and its agencies have a much closer
working relationship with local and state govern
ments." Our agencies are coordinated.- Thus re
sponse time to crime is shorter and obtaining as
sistance easier. Concerns of legal jurisdictions
experienced on most reservations are not a prob
lem here, allowing for the closest cooperation be
tween governments.
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Grand Ronde deputies and Community Resources staff attended an awareness training in Arizona.
Here, CRD manager Anthony Gagliardo and Sharon Woods, Domestic Violence Caseworker.
A difficult problem within tribal families is know
ing that a family member is abusive and attempt
ing to deal with the problem as a "family matter,"
rather than seeking processional help. Most times
this approach leads to a worsening of the prob
lem. Our discussions lead us to realize that solu
tions were somewhat painful, as most of us usu
ally with this type of problem would just go away.
Professional workers that deal with children and
families in a daily setting know they have legal
: obligations to report violence in the family, espe
cially when it deals with our children. As adults
and family members we owe it to ourselves, our
families and our community to report all family
violence to the proper authority. No abuse should
occur without realizing consequences. No abuse
cures itself, it won't just go away. No one, whether
it is a victim, an assailant, or an innocent family
member is immune from the heartache this crime
causes. No one gets the much needed help with
out total community support and involvement.
The Community Resources department is work
ing with the Tribal Court to improve their re
sponses to family violence and child abuse. I'm
pleased that the Grand Ronde deputies are be
ing included in this process. We as a community
can contribute to the process by being responsible
citizens and worthy adult role models.
Contact the deputies and Community Resources
when you become aware of local family violence.
We are concerned that our families are free of
violence and we are truly here to help.
May 2000 bring you good tidings and your fami
lies' good health.
The Oregon Legislature has found that for the purpose
of preventing abuse, and safeguarding and enhanc
ing the welfare of children, adults who are mentally
ill or developmentally disabled and elderly persons,
it is necessary and in the public interest to require
mandatory reports and investigations of abuse.
Oregon has a number of mandatory abuse
reporting laws targeted at the following
populations:
Mandatory reporting of abuse of elderly or depen
dent persons;
O Mandatory reporting of resident abuse in health
care facilities;
O Mandatory reporting of abuse for mentally ill or
developmentally disabled persons;
O Mandatory reporting of child abuse.
State law defines mandatory reporters of abuse.
It should be noted that these mandatory reporters
vary depending on the type of alleged abuse,
although there are some mandated who cross over
into every type.
MANDATORY REPORTING
Some jobs require reporting of abuse cases
child abuse, Elder abuse or abuse of persons
with disabilities or mental illness.
Theyinclude;
Physicians, including interns or residents
O Naturopathic physicians
0 Chiropractors
Nurses, licensed practical or registered
Employees of the Department of Human Re
sources, county health departments, community
mental health or developmental disabilities programs
O Peace officers
O Clergy
Licensed clinical social workers
Osteopathic physicians
Podiatrists
O Nurse's aides, home health nurses, employees of
in-home health services
Physical speech or occupational therapists
O Information and referral or outreach workers
Psychologists
Employees of private agencies providing con
tracted mental health services
0 Attorneys
O Senior Center employees
Any public official who comes into contact in
performance of official duties
Additionally, mandatory reporting also
includes the following professions:
School employees
Employees of county juvenile departments
O Licensed child care agencies
Employees of alcohol or drug treatment programs
Certified day care or foster care providers
Licensed professional counselors
Licensed marriage and family therapists
Firefighters and emergency medical technicians
Its everyone's responsibility.
If you do not find your occupation listed in any
of the mandatory reporting categories, that
does not mean you should close your eyes to
abuse. Early reporting of abuse could save a
child or adult's life or prevent himher from
serious or permanent injuries.
Reports of child abuse, Elder abuse and
domestic violence can be made through the
Tribe's Community Resources department
at (503) 879-2034 or the
24-hour Crisis Line at 1-888-654-8198.
First, if you believe a crime has been committed, you
should contact your local law enforcement agency as
soon as possible.
Some general information will be asked of you in
filing any type of abuse report. This includes:
0 the name, age, and location of the person;
0 name and addresses of persons, programs, or
' facilities responsible for the person's care;
0 the nature and extent of the alleged abuse,
including any evidence of previous abuse;
0 any information that led the person making the
report to suspect abuse occurred;
0 any information that the person believes might be
helpful in establishing the cause of the abuse and
the identity of the alleged perpetrator(s);
0 date of the incident.
To report suspected abuse of adults, 18 years or older,
with developmental disabilities or mental illness, contact
your local County Mental Health Program.
For statewide information regarding adults with de
velopmental disabilities and abuse issues, contact the
ODDS Abuse System Coordinator.
To report suspected abuse of children under the age
of 18 years, contact your local Services to Children and
Families office. To report suspected abuse of senior citi
zens, contact your local senior citizens agency.
Reports may also be made to the Tribal Community
Resources department at (503) 879-2034.